Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
That's the
other gear oil I would be considering (along with the Amsoil SG 110),
IF I felt fully confident about synthetics in an Eaton
clutchpack type limited slip.
I figure Jim Allen has that same lack of confidence as well, since he used dino in his app.
No, I have no lack of confidence in synthetics, but was given a strong recommendation against synthetic by an engineer at the company who makes my limited slip, namely Auburn Gear. Bear in mind it's a cone clutch design and uses no clutch plates in it's design.
Despite the warnings to use only mineral oil, I was all ready to install some syn after a few thousand miles of break in. I knew it would effect the bias ratio of the unit but wasn't aware of any other potential problems. Luckily, I was given the opportunity to consult one of their engineers... not one of the regular "phone" guys, but a real one one that sits in a desk surrounded by CAD drawings taped to the walls and parts on shelves around his desk. Anyway, the metallurgy and surface prep of the cone and it's pocket were designed around the characteristics of mineral oil. Synthetic oil significantly reduces friction and thus reduces the bias ratio of the unit. The "but" is that there is also a permanent "polishing" effect on the friction surfaces of the cone and the pocket when synthetic is used and that further reduces the bias ratio (at least until the unit is disassembled and the surfaces are roughed up). This is why I am using a mineral oil. There is some lubricant research being done at Auburn and perhaps I'll be allowed some access to that when it's complete and give you guys the skinny.
I was not questioning your (or even my) confidence in synthetic gear oils in
general, just in our specific applications (i.e.; if I knew there would be NO problems, synthetic would already be in there!)
I forgot you had the Auburn unit.
The Eaton tech I spoke to yesterday, albeit maybe not as much of an 'engineering doctorate type' as the Auburn tech you last spoke to, told me he has had MANY customers call in and tell him that their carbon fiber clutchpack diffs chattered like crazy when they used synthetic gear oils.
This, combined with not being able to test all of the thousands of synthetics out there in their diffs is what forces them to require mineral based gear oils in this unit.
That being said, he was the FIRST one there I've spoken to who has actually said that one could
try a synthetic gear oil in this unit and
IF it does not; chatter, one-wheel peel, or make funky noises, then you're good to go.
He also mentioned that he gets at least 25 calls a day about this very subject (and man, that must get tiresome REAL quick!).